Oh the Drama
Oh the Horror
Keep Me in Suspense
Feels like Sci-Fi
Isn't it Romantic
So-called Comedies
Western Unions
Comic Book Heroes
Kid Stuff
Fact not Fiction
Cinema Fantastico (Subtitles)
Just Seen
Always Be My Maybe (2019)
Best friends and neighbors since childhood, Randall Park & Ali
Wong share one night of passion in his Corolla after graduation, then
part company. 16 years later, she’s back as a celebrity restauranteur
and Randall—well, he’s still driving the same Corolla. It’s dear,
romantic &
hugely funny (both written and acted by this talented pair), I loved it from the first minute to its sweet last. Yes, it's that good!
My grade: Asian Plus
Silver Linings Playbook (2012) Bradley
Cooper (in his best role to date) moves in with his Philly parents
after the breakup of his marriage and a stint in a mental hospital--but
how can he mend things with his wife and sports betting dad when (a
wonderfully wounded) Jennifer Lawrence gets in his way? Shining with
goodness, this romantic dramedy is a win-win. My grade: A Plus
The Sessions (2012) John
Hawkes is a spiritual man, a poet paralyzed from the neck down who
lives alone 20 hours each day in an iron lung. Approaching 40 and
wanting to know intimacy, he hires a sex surrogate (Helen Hunt). As kind
as it was frank, and as gentle as it was explicit, I watched their
nakedness with a lump in my throat. We all need such tenderness. My grade: A Plus
Touch (2024) After the death of his wife, an elderly Kristofer will leave Iceland and travel first to London, then Japan—in search of his first love Miko, who disappeared along with her father in 1971, over 50 years ago. What will he find? More than he could have imagined, in this gentle & so, so bittersweet haiku. (Icelandic Japanese English) My grade: A
The Half of It (2020) Ellie Chu (an Asian loner
in her senior class) is approached by Paul, a clumsy big-hearted jock to write
a letter to his secret love Aster, asking for a date.
Ellie doesn’t want to, she’s secretly in love
with Aster too; but she needs the money so... one letter becomes more, but
as Aster is falling for Paul, he is falling for his Asian friend.
It’s a love triangle that is equal
parts kind, caring & special. Oh it's funny too, and a wonderful watch.
My grade: A
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Nick asks his girlfriend Rachel Chu to go to Singapore with him to
attend his best friend’s wedding—minutes later, the Asian world is
abuzz. She’s about to discover Nick’s family is one of the oldest
dynasties in Singapore, and snarky as they are rich. Will she measure
up? Of course not! But she won’t let that stop her (or us) from having
an adventure as funny & romantic as it is spectacular. Wǒde mā
ya, talk about big!
My grade: A
Phantom Thread (2018) Daniel Day-Lewis is
Reynolds Woodcock, the elegantly flawed dressmaker to London’s
ultra-high
society in the 1950s. And then one
weekend en route to his country estate, he stops at a roadside café and
meets Alma,
tall, squarish & plain, and is enchanted. Soon she’ll become his muse & more. So what does one do when one can & cannot live with another? Love them, oh so maddeningly. I was enthralled with both. My grade: A
Outside In (2018) 20 years after going to prison for a crime he didn’t commit, 38 year
old Chris is free—thanks to the efforts of his former teacher (Edie
Falco) who not only campaigned for his release, but sent lessons and
letters of support as friends & family fell by the wayside. Chris’ love for her is so apparent, he wears his heart on his sleeve
with pride and joy. Edie is flattered, flustered… and married. What’s
next? Tears, hope & a kind, wonderful story.
My grade: A
Our Souls at Night (2017) Widowed and living on the same street for decades, Jane Fonda has a proposal for Robert Redford.
Would you be interested in coming to my house to sleep with me? Not for sex… it’s lying in bed together and talking until we fall asleep. He says yes, in this quiet, lovely story of 2 lonely people who share little in common besides their age.
Here, that’s just enough.
Ms. Fonda, you've never been better.
My grade: A
Maggie’s Plan (2016)
Maggie meets & falls in love with academic Ethan Hawke—who’s
married to the bossy, hilarious Swede Julianne Moore. They divorce, he
marries Maggie… 3 years later, this isn’t really working; can she get
Ethan & Julianne back together? Not so fast Maggie, they're on
to you in this smart & very likeable cast.
“Maggie you are funny person. And little pure, and little stupid. Like unconscious person.” I love you Julianne!
My grade: A
The DUFF (2015) When
Bianca discovers she's seen as the designated ugly fat friend (her best
friends are hotties), she enlists the help of football jock/neighbor
Wesley to help her become less a weirdo--and get Toby, the boy of her
dreams. Racy & fun from the first minute to the last (with
hilarious, awesome chemistry) it's a boy knows girl-boy gets girl done
smart & sweet.
My grade: A
Learning to Drive (2015) After
her husband leaves her, Patricia Clarkson decides to finally learn how
to drive. A turban'd Sikh (Ben Kingsley) is her man. They're both
learning to navigate new roads, his arranged marriage (I love the scenes
with Ben & his new wife) and her life alone; but they're dear
and wonderful, and will make each other's way a better one. Love them
both.
My grade: A
45 Years (2015) Geoff
& Kate are a quiet British couple, planning their 45th wedding
anniversary party when Geoff receives a letter; Katya, his first
love--her body was found, buried in an avalanche in the Swiss Alps in
1962. As Geoff reveals more of his past, Kate ponders how much of their
marriage has been a fiction. Do we know what she's feeling at the
party? Perhaps...does she?
My grade: A
Far From the Madding Crowd (2015)
Set in the Victorian countryside, Carey Mulligan is heartachingly dear
as Bethesda Everdeen, recent inheritor of her uncle’s farm. She’ll soon
have 3 suitors asking for her hand in marriage—a shepherd, a
neighboring farmer and a soldier in the Queen’s Army. Her choice will
affect all, in this wonderful story of love and sorrow and love reborn.
My heart is stolen.
My grade: A
Fading Gigolo (2014) When
Woody Allen (owner of a failed bookstore) suggests to his friend (John
Turturro) that they go into the gigolo business, Turturro balks--but
winds up being more popular than either imagined. That is, until he
meets and falls in love with a shy Orthodox Jewish widow. Sweet, smart,
funny and always touching, this little gem is a kosher treat. My grade: A
What If (2014) Daniel
Radcliffe is a med school dropout who lives in his sister &
nephew's attic; and then one night at a party he meets Chantry, and both
agree they must be best friends. He secretly pines for her, but she's
in a happy relationship so how much longer can this friendship continue?
You've seen it all before--but it's told so well with a terrific cast,
and these two are sweet, funny and dear, dear, dear.
My grade: A
Her (2013) Joaquin Phoenix is a sweet, lonely man who purchases an OS1, a computer
with a conscience (wonderfully voiced by Scarlett Johannson). As a
friendship develops between man and machine, where both question what is
real vs program, to acceptance and love... where do they go from here?
And who am I crying for? A thoughtful, beautiful film. My grade: A
The Spectacular Now (2013) Sutter
is a HS senior, personable, fun, the life of the party; he's also an
alcoholic. But life's about to change when he meets the wonderfully
ordinary Aimee, who falls in love with him, regardless of everything.
This coming-of-age story is kind, and smart and genuine, and it's what
these kind of movies should be. I dearly loved this. My grade: A
Thanks for Sharing (2012) Mark
Ruffalo is a recovering sex addict, 5 years "sober" when he meets the
wonderful Gwyneth Paltrow and decides he's ready for a real thing again.
But there are other people and addictions too, drug and alcohol, Pink
and Tim Robbins, and meetings, relapses & recoveries. Wow, what a
smart and dear movie. I loved it. My grade: A
Hope Springs (2012) Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones are a long married couple who take a
trip to Hope Springs (against Tommy's wishes) for a week of intense
couple therapy. Not so much a romantic comedy as it is an honest, adult
look at a couple's intimate life, this is a caring story with some
awesome chemistry. I love you Meryl! My grade: A
Like Crazy (2011) Jacob
& Anna are earnest, thoughtful college students who fall in
love & marry; but Anna is British and her visa has expired. How
will they make this work when an ocean now divides them, and both have
met partners better suited to them? A Sundance Drama winner, this is a
thoughtful glimpse into the realties of commitment. My grade: A
Perfect Sense (2011) Things end not with a bang for Ewan McGregor and his love, but with the
loss of smell, then taste, then sound. And yet the world manages to go
on, learning to appreciate the here & now, waiting what surely
must come next in this tenderly narrated imagining of the end of us. My grade: A
He’s Just Not That Into You (2009)
Various thirtyish women ponder over the men they marry, live with, want
a second date or even an affair with. Jennifer Connolly? Scarlett
Johansson? Jennifer Anniston? Plus everyone’s on flip-phones or
Myspace, what’s not to love? I was going to say some things improve
with age, like 11 year old rom-coms, but I
really liked this. Hey isn’t that Ginnifer Goodwin from HBO’s
Big Love? She's some kind of wonderful.
My grade: A
An Education (2008) Carey Mulligan is a bored teenager in 1961 London when she is swept off
her feet by the beguiling & sophisticated Peter Sarsgaard,
twentysomething playboy. Sweetly told & of course, it has Carey.
My grade: A
Elegy (2008) Rich, introspective story of an aging academic (Ben Kingsley) who lusts
after one of his graduate students (Penelope Cruz) and is in turn
delighted and aghast when she returns feelings of love. This was almost
superb. My grade: A
The Reader (2008) An exquisite, adult story of a man (Ralph Fiennes) reflecting on a
summer affair with a mysterious older woman in 1958 when he was 15,
& how she plays a role in his present. Kate Winslet is just
phenomenal. My grade: A
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) Javier Bardem is a Spanish oil painter, Penelope Cruz is his
half-crazed ex-lover & Scarlett Johannsen is a bored American
tourist (and their romantic prey). Great supporting characters, a
wonderful score & fine narration all make one terrific Woody
Allen film. My grade: A
Enough Said (2013) Julia
Louis-Dreyfus & James Gandolfini make an unlikely couple as a
pair of middle aged people attempting love again after years of
singledom; but there's a fly in the ointment when Julia discovers a
friend she recently made is James ex-wife, and she (unknowingly) has a
lot of stories to tell. My grade: A-
Two Lovers (2008) Joaquin Phoenix is almost brilliant as a troubled man who lives with
his Brooklyn parents & somehow becomes involved with 2 very
different women. The ending is heartbreaking but not tragic, which made
it all the more real. My grade: A-
Yesterday (2019) Jack (an aspiring musician) gets hit by a bus
and awakes to a world where some things never existed--Coke, Harry
Potter, the Beatles. He’s going to become famous
really fast
once he starts singing their songs! But as his fame grows, his lifelong
friend & manager Ellie is getting left behind… is that what he
wanted? No... Is their romance what we came here to see? Um… It’s
still a really big show though, a curious and very good one!
My grade: B Plus
Every Day (2018) Rhiannon’s boyfriend Justin is different today; he’s funny, warm,
engaging. But it’s short lived—until a
girl approaches Rhi the next day and says “That
was me”. Rhi learns Justin’s body
was inhabited by ‘A’, a caring soul who wakes up in a different person’s body every
day. They fall in love but reality sets
in… what kind of future will they
have? (I loved their long talks.) It’s a kind, romantic story but a responsible
one too. I sure enjoyed this. My grade: B Plus
When we First Met (2018) Three years ago, Noah met Avery—and
after the perfect date, found his soulmate. So why is she marrying
Ethan and not him? If only he could go back in time and change things…
but wait! Thanks to an antique photo booth, he can. He’ll do it—again
& again, each time returning to a different present.
“Hey I can speak Chinese now!” It’s a silly thing, but funny too--and Noah’s goofy charm steals the show.
My grade: B Plus
The Exception (2017) After
a dashing young Nazi officer (Jai Courtney) is sent to Holland to guard
Germany’s exiled emperor (played to perfection by Christopher Plummer),
he’ll meet & fall in love with the Kaiser’s Jewish servant—only
to discover she’s a British spy.
Will he choose her over Germany?
Perhaps
when he learns of German atrocities being the rule (and not the
exception as he thought) in this adult WWII tale of love & duty.
My grade: B Plus
The Free World (2016)
Wrongly incarcerated at 15, Mo is freed but not within; this gentle
giant sleeps in his apartment’s bedroom closet each night. Then he
finds a battered & bloodied woman (perfectly cast Elisabeth
Moss) and hides her away, later learning she’s wanted for murder. One
will heal the other, while the law closes in… is there hope for them?
Yes & no, in this gentle as it is violent love story. I loved
them both.
My grade: B Plus
Carol (2015) Cate
Blanchett stuns as a separated woman smitten with a young shop girl,
Therese--and the attraction is a mutual one. But this is 1952, and
their lack of restraint will come with great repercussions. I didn't
feel the sparks they wanted me to, but there's no denying it's
gorgeously done, and captures the era like nothing I've ever seen. Cate
(once again) elevates the grade.
My grade: B Plus
Friends with Benefits (2011) When
Mila Kunis recruits Justin Timberlake to work for GQ Magazine, they
become best friends and then some--well, until the right person comes
along. It's a racy film, but a smart and funny one too; I loved watching
these two in action. Get your mind out of the gutter, that's not what I
meant! My grade: B Plus
She's Out of My League (2010) This twentysomething nerd isn't the only one surprised when he stumbles
into a relationship with the ultimate girl; this 'racy comedy'
transformed into a heartwarming & sincere movie. Well done. My grade: B Plus
He’s All That (2021)
When Padgett (a social media teen queen) loses her cosmetics sponsor
following an online breakup, she vows to turn the grungiest boy in
school into a Prom King and win her audience back. It’s actually a lot
sweeter & fun to watch than that description, though it’s scary
“Prom Dance Off” and gooey Disney Channel finish bring it down a notch.
Based on 1999’s “She’s All That”, not as great but still a fun watch of
teens in the 21st century!
My grade: B
Heartthrob (2017) Shortly after graduation, Sam
(sweet but known for having a reputation) runs into nerdy classmate
&
valedictorian Henry. They talk
astronomy & college plans, she’s charmed, he’s smitten. Soon
they’re dating and all is good, until
Henry runs into one of her exes who jokingly asks if Sam is hiccupping
yet. (She hiccups after sex.) Oh such rage, in this thriller of first
loves
& unstable minds… crazy comes in many forms. My grade: B
Bokeh (2017) Jenai & Riley travel to Iceland for a romantic vacation, but
awaken one morning to discover their hotel is empty. They venture out,
search their street, the city… no one. Calls home to America go
unanswered. Where is everyone? At first it’s frightful, but an
adventure too—
at least we have each other. But as days stretch into weeks, one will learn to love this life… and the other won’t. Sad, beautiful, soul searching.
My grade: B
AWOL (2017) With
her mother’s nudging, young Joey decides to enlist in the Army; she’s
good at mechanics and there’s no future to be had in her rural
Pennsylvania hometown.
And
then she meets Rayna, an older honky-tonk woman… the attraction is
mutual, but Rayna comes with 2 kids—and an on again, off again husband.
Intimate, bleak & bittersweet, ah Joey… please, please move on.
My grade: B
The Age of Adaline (2015) Adaline
Bowman is 107 years young. You wouldn't know it, she stopped aging at
29 after an accident. She's lived many years alone (save for an elderly
relative who knows her secret) changing her identity... and then she
meets Ellis. Does she dare fall in love again? It's a far-fetched
romance, but told with such style & good actors. It's made a
believer out of me.
My grade: B
The Fault in Our Stars (2014) The
last thing Shailene Woodley wants to do is join a cancer support group,
but she does so to please her mom. It's there she meets the always
smiling, warm-hearted Augustus, and of course they fall in love not
because of their illness but in spite of it. It's a love story
engineered for tears, but it's tender and honest. I'm glad they found
one another.
My grade: B
The One I Love (2014) When
a marriage counselor recommends a weekend getaway at a secluded country
home to Elizabeth Moss and her husband, they soon discover another
couple there--them. What the--how do you compete for your spouses love
with a better version of you? "This is some weird Twilight Zone shit!"
Couldn't have said it better myself. My grade: B
Labor Day (2013) Kate
Winslet is a lonely, withdrawn single mom to her caring 13 year old
son, when they receive an unwelcome guest; escaped convict Josh Brolin.
It doesn't take long for Kate and Josh to realize they're meant for one
another, but he's on the lam, so is it even possible? Time will tell, in
this tender love story. My grade: B
The Face of Love (2013) Five
years after the death of her husband, Annette Bening sees a local
artist (Ed Harris) who is a carbon copy of her dearly departed--and
wonders if this is her chance to have her husband back again. It's such a
far-fetched premise, but these two are such fine actors, and I love how
they wear their age with pride and still shine. My grade: B
The Vow (2012) Channing
Tatum & Rachel McAdams are living the dream in their artsy
Chicago loft and hopelessly in love--until the accident, and Rachel
loses her memory of their time together. Can Channing woo her back?
Well, he certainly tries in this love story elevated by his hunky
earnestness. Hey, I enjoyed it. My grade: B
To Rome with Love (2012) Woody
Allen loves Rome, as seen in this frothy mix of stories with some big
names (like Ellen Page and Penelope Cruz). A little too much ham for my
taste, but I did enjoy the funeral director who's 'discovered' while
singing in the shower--what happens when it's the only place he can
sing? My grade: B
Life as We Know It (2010) Katherine Heigl
hates
the Messer, but he’s her BF Allison’s husband’s bf, so every time
there’s a get together… then the unthinkable happens. Katherine will
learn she’s the godmother to Allison’s 1 year old Sophie…and the Messer
is the godfather! Do you see where this is going? Of course ya do, but
it’s a fun watch... so put your troubles aside and enjoy this 10 year
old rom-com like you would a vanilla cupcake. It’s still fresh too.
My grade: B
The Switch (2010) Jennifer Aniston is a 40 something single woman who wants to be a mom
and hires a sperm donor; Jason Bateman is her neurotic, cynical friend
who (in a drunken moment) spills the goods, so to speak. Predictable
story but warm, smart & genuinely funny. And the little boy who
played Jennifer's son was sweet. My grade: B
My One and Only (2009) After catching her husband in a compromising position, Anne Devereaux
(Renée Zellweger) rounds up her sons and hits the road, hoping to land a
wealthy man. A sweet story & Renee shines bright, as always. My grade: B
It's Complicated (2009) Meryl Streep beams in this rich, romantic comedy as a divorced woman
having a fiftysomething affair with her married ex-husband. (Alec
Baldwin bares his soul here, among other things.) My grade: B
TiMER (2009) One
day, people will wear a timer--a strip of plastic implanted on their
wrist that is blank, unless their soulmate gets one too. It then begins a
countdown of when the two will meet. Oona's has been blank for 15
years, so when she falls in love with a younger man who refuses to wear
one...how will she know if he's the one? It's a farce, but a sweet one. My grade: B
Scoop (2006) Scarlett Johansson is a journalism student in London when she's visited
by a spirit who tells her the identity of the Tarot Card Killer; but
after meeting the man, it can't be him--he's the rich & handsome
Hugh Jackman! This Woody Allen farce got poor reviews, but I suspect
it's because of Woody & Scarlett's brilliant work in
'Matchpoint' the year prior. Try to enjoy this silly romp anyway, you
like Scarlett & Hugh don't you?
My grade: B
Sleeping Dogs Lie (2006) Bobcat Goldthwait's first film is about a girl who goes a little too
far with her dog Rufus one night--and learns just how bad it was when
she spills the beans to her fiance some years later, in this romantic
comedy that goes off the beaten path. Just get thru the first 5 minutes,
you'll be alright! My grade: B
Jack & Sarah (1995) Richard Grant and his pregnant wife have just moved into their London
home when she goes into labor and dies, leaving our yuppie barrister
alone with baby Sarah. Insert some "Aw!" moments here. But he still
needs help, so enter Amy, a cute American who needs a job-- "whats a
nappy?" Oops, what's next? You know! My grade: B
Long Shot (2019) When independent journalist Seth Rogen runs
into Charlize Theron at a political function, both are surprised; she
used to be his babysitter, now she’s Secretary of State. Hmm, she
does
need a speechwriter… soon Seth is introduced to the glamour of world
politics, and Charlize is swept off her feet with Seth’s…what? Grunge,
drugs & sex jokes? It’s actually a quality rom-com, but Seth’s
schtick muddies it. I wasn’t buying this pairing for a minute.
My grade: B-
The Big Sick (2017) Aspiring comic Kumail Nanjiani meets and falls in love with Emily, but ends things when his family demand he marry a Pakistani
. But
when Emily falls ill and goes into a coma, Kumail can’t leave her
side—even when her angry parents (Ray Romano & Holly Hunter)
insist he go.
I
was surprised at the direction this took, but Ray & Holly lift a
so-so story into something funnier & sweeter.
My grade: B-
Newness
(2017) Martin & Gabi meet on a ‘hook-up’ app and
discover they like each other more than a one night thing; they move in together, and for awhile it’s
very good. But when passions cool and
feelings begin to waver, they’ll try to keep the fires hot by pursuing an open
relationship—even setting each other up. These two are about to grow up real fast. Both serious and very adult, in the end I
wound up genuinely liking both. My
grade: B-
The Lobster
(2016) Colin Farrell is
despondent, his wife has left him. But
this is a reality where being alone is not allowed, now he must report to a
singles resort where he’ll have 45 days to meet someone & fall in love or
be transformed into an animal of his choosing. Is he doomed to become a lobster? He’ll discover he has other options, but they’re even more extreme in
this black satire of society, and all the rules we place on ourselves. Kooky! My grade: B-
Mr. Right (2015)
When “I’m a T-Rex!” Anna Kendrick meets Sam Rockwell in a grocery
store, it’s love at first sight—God knows they have some crazy chemistry
together. Problem is, she’s manic and he’s a rogue hit-man who’s now
killing his own clients.
If she can just get over his shooting people…
done! This could’ve been a fun romance, and I suppose still is, if you
don’t mind the jumble of killings & blood. Ugh. At least
Sam's killing bad guys, right?
My grade: B-
Alone Together (2022)
It’s March 2020, the middle of Covid—and as New York shuts down, Katie
Holmes rents an Airbnb in the country to get away from things. Problem
is, it was already rented to someone else. Guess what comes next?
Well, not right away in this quiet, quiet story of love and friendship.
The only reason you'll want to see this is for Katie Holmes. She makes
everything a little more special.
My grade: C Plus
Meet Cute (2022)
After Kaley Cuoco discovers the tanning bed in the back of her nail
salon is a time machine, she’ll relive the “magical night” she met Pete
Davidson, again & again & again. Then she realizes she can go
further back and fix his past, and make Pete perfect. Um…can she unfix
him and start over?? When you’re suicidal & depressed it’s hard to
say. I certainly enjoy watching these two, but the $15.00 moviemaking
budget sure showed.
My grade: C Plus
Good On Paper (2021)
Andrea (IIiza Schlesinger) is a comic and hopeful actress who bumps
into Dennis, a handsome preppy nerd at the airport--twice. They’ll
become close friends, but when Dennis wants more... well he's dorky but
successful, right? Her gut is saying no but her mind says yes why not?
Oh Andrea, why indeed in this screwy comedy that starts with real
chuckles but gets pretty sour by the third act. Well, that's love for
ya.
My grade: C Plus
Set
It Up (2018) Harper and Charlie are the most overworked personal
assistants in NYC, thanks to a pair of miserable bosses (Taye Diggs, Lucy
Liu). What if we fixed our bosses up with one another? Then they’d be happy, and so would we! Things go according to plan and then some—but
is this really what this ornery pair wanted? It’s a little too cute and THERE’S TOO MUCH OVER-ACTING—but for a silly
romantic comedy, you could do worse! My
grade: C Plus
Everything, Everything (2017) Diagnosed with an immunity disorder since birth,
Maddy lives with her mom in a swank, germ-free home.
Sweet, smart & pretty, she attracts the attention of Olly, the handsome boy who’s just moved in next door.
They’ll smile at each other & wave thru glass, chat online & text.
So what’s next for this pair?
Guess!
Predictable but sweetly done, it’s just right for moony 12 year old girls everywhere.
My grade: C Plus
Effie Gray (2015)
Dakota Fanning is just married, and will soon learn it's a loveless
marriage (her nakedness disgusts her new husband on their wedding
night.) But it's the turn of the century, where divorce is not
possible--what will she do? A lovely period piece, but moves very
slowly... like watching a painting. Still, when the ending came I
wanted more.
My grade: C Plus
Last Night (2011)
Michael & JoAnn are an attractive married couple in NYC (love
their loft). Jo is suspicious of Michael’s coworker Lauren, it doesn’t
help that he has to go on a business trip with her. But while Jo’s
alone in the city, she runs into Andrew—the man she loved before
Michael. That night both will be tempted, but only one remains
faithful. It’s a thin story, but told with style—I can’t help but
wonder what will happen with these two after the credits.
My grade: C Plus
Hysteria (2011) Set in 1880s London, frustrated women visit doctors who specialize in
hysteria (they use their hands to relieve women of sexual tension--yep).
But Maggie Gylenhaal will have none of it; she wants her father's
practice to help the sick instead, the cheeky thing. So guess what her
boyfriend invents? My grade: C Plus
Love Hard (2021)
Natalie’s a single ‘date-site’ writer in LA who thinks she’s found the
man of her dreams, in New York. Naturally, she’ll fly cross country to
surprise him and learn he’s a bespectacled Asian geek.
She got catfished!
Even worse, he wants her to pretend they’re in love to fool his family
for Christmas! This must be a Hallmark Channel primer for 15-17 year
old girls who aspire to be happy homemakers someday. Bland holiday
fluff.
My grade: C
The Tomorrow Man (2019) John Lithgow is a loner, a 70 year old
who scours the internet nightly for like-minded “end of the world is
coming” theorists like himself. And then he begins noticing 70ish
Blythe Danner at the market, and thinks he’s found a kindred spirit.
(Nope, they couldn’t be more different.) Can loneliness & age help
them find a common ground? Of course, in this ho-hum romance drama with
one WTH ending. Oh well, they found love!
My grade: C
For Love or Money (2019) When Mark learns Connie (his childhood
sweetheart) is only marrying him for his money, he tries to kill
himself—when that fails, he decides he’ll make
her life miserable
instead. And he does, until he meets her awful cartoonish family and
feels sorry for her… what will he do now? It’s a silly Brit farce, but
blecch at the softening ‘round the edges towards the end.
Connie’s not so bad after all… right-o, mate.
My grade: C
The Lovers (2017) Debra Winger & her husband have been cheating on each other a long time (but neither knows the other is doing it). So when their son comes home from college, both plan to announce they’re leaving… well, that was the plan but lately they’ve been rekindling old feelings. “You’re both pieces of shit!” says their son. I’m inclined to agree, but you decide in this sloooow but surprising… love story? It shouldn’t be but it is. My grade: C
Kiss and Cry (2017) Based on a true story, Carley is a bubbly 17 year old Canadian skater & aspiring singer when she’s struck down with a very rare cancer. Friends, family (and a new boyfriend) will rally to her support in this Hallmarky confection that goes way overboard with the syrup. (No joke, several times I was gagging.) Interestingly enough, the lead (Sarah Fisher) was played by Carley Allison’s real-life best friend. Next! My grade: C
Everybody Loves Somebody (2017) Dr. Clara (a dead ringer for Amanda Knox) doesn’t want to show up alone at her parents wedding, so she asks Asher (a fellow doc) to pose as her boyfriend. They arrive, but so does Daniel—the love of her life 10 years ago. He wants her back, and she him, but now she wants Asher too. She’ll string both along & make everyone miserable until Mama tells her to just love somebody. Not awful, just forgettable. (Spanish-English) My grade: C
La La Land (2016) Emma
Stone is an aspiring actress, Ryan Gosling a stubborn jazz pianist when
they meet and fall in love--but careers will always come first in
this--did they say it was a musical? Well, it looked that way in the
beginning. I know this won Oscars & praise galore, but I was
expecting to be charmed and wasn't. I enjoyed the splashes of color,
but a memorable song & some chemistry between these two would've
been nice too.
My grade: C
Bridget Jone's Baby (2016) Attention, Bridget Jones die-hards! They filmed a third movie just for you. 12 years after the
sequel,
Jones is still single and still wondering what to do with herself. But
after a couple of impromptu shags with Patrick Dempsey & old
flame Colin Firth, discovers she's pregnant. Who's the daddy? And who
will she marry? When the minister said "I now pronounce you man
& wife--FINALLY" I knew just how he felt.
My grade: C
Paterson
(2016) A week in the life of
a quiet bus driver (Adam Driver, who fancies himself a future poet) and his
stay-at-home wife (who fancies herself a future artist) and their simple,
routine lives. He gets up, eats cereal,
goes to work, comes home, eats dinner and shares a few words with his
wife—takes the dog for a walk, stops at a bar for a beer, comes home, tv, goes
to bed. Again & again. We all lead two lives, the one outside & the dreamer within. My grade: C
Blue Jay (2016) Would
you maybe want to grab a cup of coffee? By chance, Jim runs into Amanda at the supermarket; high school
sweethearts, they’ve both returned to their hometown for family matters and
haven’t seen each other in 24 years. They’ll laugh & reminisce, go to Jim’s old house, read some old
letters, and have an emotional outburst or two in this average, average little
indie. A little color would’ve been
nice. My grade: C
Jenny's Wedding (2015)
Katherine Heigl hits her conventional family with a double whammy;
first of all, she's gay. Secondly, her roommate Kitty of 5 years? She
wants to marry her. Get ready for a bath cuz the soap's coming, in this
(curiously dated) lesson in love & acceptance. It's nicely
told but I don't blame the parents for not believing Katherine's a
lesbian; I didn't either.
My grade: C
Spring (2015) After
Evan's mother dies, he decides to get away by taking a poor man's trip
to Italy; it's there he meets the beautiful, mysterious 20 year old
Louise. It's a love story with a twist of horror, as Evan falls for her
and tries to uncover her true origins. "What are you? A vampire,
werewolf, witch?" "Human; like you." Well, not exactly. Good luck, you
two.
My grade: C
The Rewrite (2015) Hugh
Grant is a washed up Hollywood... screenwriter who's forced to take a
cushy teaching job at a charming, out-of-the-way college in New York. He'll stammer and stumble, but Marisa Tomei is one of his students and
will give him meaningful looks to guide him along. It's your standard
Hollywood rom-com, so maybe they'll end up together.
My grade: C
I'll See You In My Dreams (2015) Blythe
Danner may be getting on in years but life is good; she has a lovely
home, plays golf & has 3 feisty lady friends. What else could
she want? Well, there's recent retiree Sam Elliott who wants to court
her. But she's been a widow for 22 years, is she ready for love again? Maybe... is she ready for the realities of old age? Not so much.
My grade: C
And So It Goes (2014) When Michael Douglas' estranged son is sent to prison, he asks his dad
to take care of the 10 year old granddaughter Mike didn't know he had.
But Mike's so mean and cranky, now what? Diane Keaton to the rescue, his
weepy widow neighbor and aspiring lounge singer. Y'know, I don't mind
all the formula, but where's the chemistry? My grade: C
Barefoot (2014) Jack
is a handsome rogue, on parole and working as a janitor in a mental
hospital--but he owes a loanshark 40K. How can he raise the cash?
Wait--he'll get one of the patients (Evan Rachel Wood) to pose as his
girlfriend and convince his wealthy family he's on the right path in
this corny, cliche wanna-be-oddball romantic something-something.
My grade: C
Hateship Loveship (2013) Kristen
Wiig is a quiet, dowdy caregiver hired by an elderly man to help him
& his granddaughter; she receives a note of thanks from the
daughter's dad and begins a romantic correspondence--not knowing the
notes are really from the granddaugher. It's a bit plodding (so is
Kristen), but worth watching for the good things that come. My grade: C
About Time (2013) On
his 21st birthday, Tim's dad tells him the men of the family share a
secret--they can travel back in time to any point in their past lives,
re-live events & return to the present. Now Tim can go back and
fall in love with Rachel McAdams over & over again in this
mostly cloying, touchy-feely British romantic fantasy. Never again,
Rachel! My grade: C
Ruby Sparks (2012) When a young, pretentious novelist begins writing about all the quirky
& lovable attributes his perfect girl would have, she somehow
comes to life. Trouble is, people--even created ones--usually have a
mind of their own. Personally I couldn't believe the main character was
real, let alone the girl. My grade: C
Celeste and Jesse Forever (2012) Best
friends, they fell in love and got married, only to separate after 6
years of marriage--but hey, they're still committed to one another.
Well, until one decides to really move on. These people are working so hard to be cool, don't they care if they're likeable? Apparently not. My grade: C
Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (2011) A
mega-wealthy (and very likeable) shiek wants to bring fly-fishing to
the Middle East, and hires a reluctant Ewan McGregor (British fishing
magazine expert) to help him do it. This movie is equal parts political
satire, drama & love story too--but with a 'stiff upper lip'
charm all it's own. My grade: C
Water for Elephants (2011) Set
in the Great Depression, adventure awaits when Robert Pattinson
literally runs away to join the circus--and meets an elephant that
understands Polish, a half-crazed ringmaster and his wife Reese
Witherspoon, the star attraction. Folks, it's 'The Notebook' under the
Big Top. My grade: C
Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011) Julianne
Moore wants a divorce after 25 years & poor Steve Carell has to
learn how to be single again--lucky for him, Ryan Gosling is a swank
bachelor who's ready to teach him a few tricks of the trade. I smell a
retread, but Emma Stone is here too & brightens this corny show.
My grade: C
Love & Other Drugs (2010) Jake Gyllenhaal is a pharmaceutical rep and smooth ladies man when he
falls hard for a very annoying Anne Hathaway (who has Parkinsons). This
movie can't decide what it wants to be--one minute it's a raunchy
comedy, the next it's a heartfelt drama. But if you want to see these
two up close and naked, go for it. My grade: C
Blue Valentine (2010) Scenes from their joyful (though problematic) courtship are shown as we
witness Ryan Gosling & Michelle Williams in a soured marriage.
Sadly terrific performances, but I'm not sure I'd label this as
entertainment. My grade: C
The Joneses (2009) David
Duchovny & Demi Moore are the Jones, the perfect couple with
the perfect kids & the perfect house. And when they move into an
affluent neighborhood, who doesn't want to be just like them? And have
everything they do? Hopefully, everyone. My grade: C
Love Happens (2009) Aaron Eckhart is a celebrity widower after writing a self-help book on
dealing with grief; will he ever find real love again? Jennifer Aniston
to the rescue! More Hollywood-humdrum. My grade: C
Irreplaceable You (2018) Sweethearts since childhood, Sam & Abbie make plans to wed when
Abbie discovers she has terminal cancer. Worried that Sam will be
alone as he's never dated, her attempts to find him a romantic
replacement are thwarted by friends, her support group & finally
Sam himself. Not really sad or sweet or amusing, this was more like
sipping a glass of tepid water for 90 minutes.
My grade: C-
What Happens Later (2023)
While waiting for his flight to Boston, David Duchovny will bump into
Meg Ryan—the woman he once loved and left some 25 years ago. They’ll do
some fun & biting catching up, but as a storm rages outside and
their flights are delayed, sadder truths will be revealed. Boy this had
a strong start, and Meg Ryan (who also directed) was
wonderful to see again--but this began feeling tiresome halfway thru.
My grade: D Plus
Happy Anniversary (2018) On the morning of their third “anniversary”, Sam (a Zach Braff
knockoff) brings breakfast in bed to Mollie (a Zooey Deschanel wannabe)
and she wonders aloud if this relationship is really a hot idea. As
Sam wanders the city screaming “F—YOU!” too many times to count, Mollie
licks her imaginary wounds and asks if she’s worth it.
Lame, annoying, predictable fare aimed at Millennials—guys, stream some Ali Wong instead.
My grade: D
5 to 7 (2015) Brian
is a pale, young writer living in NYC who becomes smitten with Arielle,
the (gorgeous) French woman smoking outside. Improbably enough, they
meet & begin an affair (we see only in silhouette); does it
matter that she's married? She hopes not. Boring & utterly
pretentious, I didn't believe these characters or story for a New York
minute.
My grade: D
They Came Together (2014) Amy
Poehler & Paul Rudd (two of my favorite people in the whole
world) recount how they got together, in this very unfunny, very
juvenile riff on romantic comedies like 'You've Got Mail'. What could've
been a clever satire is just foolish and dumb. My grade: D
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012) An
asteroid is going to wipe out the Earth in a couple weeks time, so
mopey single guy Steve Carell decides to take a road trip & hook
up with his high school sweetheart. The ditzy but sweet British chick
from the apartment below comes along for the ride, with lots of cliche,
soapy stuff along the way and zero, boring chemistry. The end of the
world can't get here fast enough.
My grade: D
Maggie’s Plan (2016)
Maggie meets & falls in love with academic Ethan Hawke—who’s
married to the bossy, hilarious Swede Julianne Moore. They divorce, he
marries Maggie… 3 years later, this isn’t really working; can she get
Ethan & Julianne back together? Not so fast Maggie, they're on
to you in this smart & very likeable cast. “Maggie you are funny person. And little pure, and little stupid. Like unconscious person.” I love you Julianne! My grade: A 
The DUFF (2015) When
Bianca discovers she's seen as the designated ugly fat friend (her best
friends are hotties), she enlists the help of football jock/neighbor
Wesley to help her become less a weirdo--and get Toby, the boy of her
dreams. Racy & fun from the first minute to the last (with
hilarious, awesome chemistry) it's a boy knows girl-boy gets girl done
smart & sweet. My grade: A
Learning to Drive (2015) After
her husband leaves her, Patricia Clarkson decides to finally learn how
to drive. A turban'd Sikh (Ben Kingsley) is her man. They're both
learning to navigate new roads, his arranged marriage (I love the scenes
with Ben & his new wife) and her life alone; but they're dear
and wonderful, and will make each other's way a better one. Love them
both. My grade: A 
45 Years (2015) Geoff
& Kate are a quiet British couple, planning their 45th wedding
anniversary party when Geoff receives a letter; Katya, his first
love--her body was found, buried in an avalanche in the Swiss Alps in
1962. As Geoff reveals more of his past, Kate ponders how much of their
marriage has been a fiction. Do we know what she's feeling at the
party? Perhaps...does she? My grade: A
The Free World (2016)
Wrongly incarcerated at 15, Mo is freed but not within; this gentle
giant sleeps in his apartment’s bedroom closet each night. Then he
finds a battered & bloodied woman (perfectly cast Elisabeth
Moss) and hides her away, later learning she’s wanted for murder. One
will heal the other, while the law closes in… is there hope for them?
Yes & no, in this gentle as it is violent love story. I loved
them both. My grade: B Plus
Carol (2015) Cate
Blanchett stuns as a separated woman smitten with a young shop girl,
Therese--and the attraction is a mutual one. But this is 1952, and
their lack of restraint will come with great repercussions. I didn't
feel the sparks they wanted me to, but there's no denying it's
gorgeously done, and captures the era like nothing I've ever seen. Cate
(once again) elevates the grade. My grade: B Plus
Friends with Benefits (2011) When
Mila Kunis recruits Justin Timberlake to work for GQ Magazine, they
become best friends and then some--well, until the right person comes
along. It's a racy film, but a smart and funny one too; I loved watching
these two in action. Get your mind out of the gutter, that's not what I
meant! My grade: B Plus
She's Out of My League (2010) This twentysomething nerd isn't the only one surprised when he stumbles
into a relationship with the ultimate girl; this 'racy comedy'
transformed into a heartwarming & sincere movie. Well done. My grade: B Plus
Alone Together (2022)
It’s March 2020, the middle of Covid—and as New York shuts down, Katie
Holmes rents an Airbnb in the country to get away from things. Problem
is, it was already rented to someone else. Guess what comes next?
Well, not right away in this quiet, quiet story of love and friendship.
The only reason you'll want to see this is for Katie Holmes. She makes
everything a little more special. My grade: C Plus
Meet Cute (2022)
After Kaley Cuoco discovers the tanning bed in the back of her nail
salon is a time machine, she’ll relive the “magical night” she met Pete
Davidson, again & again & again. Then she realizes she can go
further back and fix his past, and make Pete perfect. Um…can she unfix
him and start over?? When you’re suicidal & depressed it’s hard to
say. I certainly enjoy watching these two, but the $15.00 moviemaking
budget sure showed. My grade: C Plus 
Good On Paper (2021)
Andrea (IIiza Schlesinger) is a comic and hopeful actress who bumps
into Dennis, a handsome preppy nerd at the airport--twice. They’ll
become close friends, but when Dennis wants more... well he's dorky but
successful, right? Her gut is saying no but her mind says yes why not?
Oh Andrea, why indeed in this screwy comedy that starts with real
chuckles but gets pretty sour by the third act. Well, that's love for
ya. My grade: C Plus
Mr. Right (2015)
When “I’m a T-Rex!” Anna Kendrick meets Sam Rockwell in a grocery
store, it’s love at first sight—God knows they have some crazy chemistry
together. Problem is, she’s manic and he’s a rogue hit-man who’s now
killing his own clients. If she can just get over his shooting people…
done! This could’ve been a fun romance, and I suppose still is, if you
don’t mind the jumble of killings & blood. Ugh. At least
Sam's killing bad guys, right? My grade: B-
Love Hard (2021)
Natalie’s a single ‘date-site’ writer in LA who thinks she’s found the
man of her dreams, in New York. Naturally, she’ll fly cross country to
surprise him and learn he’s a bespectacled Asian geek. She got catfished!
Even worse, he wants her to pretend they’re in love to fool his family
for Christmas! This must be a Hallmark Channel primer for 15-17 year
old girls who aspire to be happy homemakers someday. Bland holiday
fluff. My grade: C 
The Tomorrow Man (2019) John Lithgow is a loner, a 70 year old
who scours the internet nightly for like-minded “end of the world is
coming” theorists like himself. And then he begins noticing 70ish
Blythe Danner at the market, and thinks he’s found a kindred spirit.
(Nope, they couldn’t be more different.) Can loneliness & age help
them find a common ground? Of course, in this ho-hum romance drama with
one WTH ending. Oh well, they found love! My grade: C
For Love or Money (2019) When Mark learns Connie (his childhood
sweetheart) is only marrying him for his money, he tries to kill
himself—when that fails, he decides he’ll make her life miserable
instead. And he does, until he meets her awful cartoonish family and
feels sorry for her… what will he do now? It’s a silly Brit farce, but
blecch at the softening ‘round the edges towards the end. Connie’s not so bad after all… right-o, mate. My grade: C
Effie Gray (2015)
Dakota Fanning is just married, and will soon learn it's a loveless
marriage (her nakedness disgusts her new husband on their wedding
night.) But it's the turn of the century, where divorce is not
possible--what will she do? A lovely period piece, but moves very
slowly... like watching a painting. Still, when the ending came I
wanted more. My grade: C Plus
Last Night (2011)
Michael & JoAnn are an attractive married couple in NYC (love
their loft). Jo is suspicious of Michael’s coworker Lauren, it doesn’t
help that he has to go on a business trip with her. But while Jo’s
alone in the city, she runs into Andrew—the man she loved before
Michael. That night both will be tempted, but only one remains
faithful. It’s a thin story, but told with style—I can’t help but
wonder what will happen with these two after the credits. My grade: C Plus
Hysteria (2011) Set in 1880s London, frustrated women visit doctors who specialize in
hysteria (they use their hands to relieve women of sexual tension--yep).
But Maggie Gylenhaal will have none of it; she wants her father's
practice to help the sick instead, the cheeky thing. So guess what her
boyfriend invents? My grade: C Plus
5 to 7 (2015) Brian
is a pale, young writer living in NYC who becomes smitten with Arielle,
the (gorgeous) French woman smoking outside. Improbably enough, they
meet & begin an affair (we see only in silhouette); does it
matter that she's married? She hopes not. Boring & utterly
pretentious, I didn't believe these characters or story for a New York
minute. My grade: D
They Came Together (2014) Amy
Poehler & Paul Rudd (two of my favorite people in the whole
world) recount how they got together, in this very unfunny, very
juvenile riff on romantic comedies like 'You've Got Mail'. What could've
been a clever satire is just foolish and dumb. My grade: D
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012) An
asteroid is going to wipe out the Earth in a couple weeks time, so
mopey single guy Steve Carell decides to take a road trip & hook
up with his high school sweetheart. The ditzy but sweet British chick
from the apartment below comes along for the ride, with lots of cliche,
soapy stuff along the way and zero, boring chemistry. The end of the
world can't get here fast enough. My grade: D